Edinburgh Tory councillor Phil Doggart resigns with immediate effect to take up new role
Group leader praises his contribution and says he will be missed
Edinburgh Conservative councillor Phil Doggart has resigned from the council, effective from November 7.
The party said Cllr Doggart, who works as an actuary, was leaving because he had got a new job in the private sector which required political neutrality. Since next year’s council elections in May fall within six months, there will be no by-election to fill the vacancy.
Cllr Doggart was first elected in 2017 for Colinton/Fairmilehead ward, but switched to Liberton/Gilmerton in 2022. He served as the Tories’ finance spokesman until earlier this year.
His resignation from that role sparked speculation he may be about to defect to Reform, but he dismissed the rumours as “garbage”, insisting there was "absolutely no chance" that he would switch to Nigel Farage's party, labelling them "a bunch of chancers”.
He stood as Conservative candidate in Midlothian North at the Scottish Parliament elections earlier this year, where he finished fifth with 7 per cent of the votes, behind the SNP, Labour, Reform and the Lib Dems.
Cllr Doggart said: "It has been a privilege to serve the people of Edinburgh since 2017. I am grateful to the residents of Colinton/Fairmilehead and Liberton/Gilmerton for their trust, and to my colleagues and council officers for their support. I leave with an appreciation of what we achieved together.”
Edinburgh Tory group leader Iain Whyte praised Cllr Doggart’s work as a councillor and said he would be missed.
He said: "Phil has made a huge contribution to Conservative politics in this city, not least through the thorough scrutiny he has brought to finance, governance and risk. He has pressed successfully for more robust systems to safeguard public funding, and taxpayers across Edinburgh have benefited as a result.
“At annual budget time his expertise and advice have been invaluable in helping our group scrutinise proposals and put forward our own ideas for saving money and improving council services.
“He has also served as a Bailie of Edinburgh and, most recently, was our candidate in Midlothian North at this year's Holyrood elections. We will miss him in the group, but we understand why this new role requires him to step away.
“I hope that Phil will continue to support Conservative Party activities in Edinburgh as time and his other responsibilities permit, and I wish him every success."